Combest Plans Comprehensive Farm Policy Review

September 17, 1999

The agricultural agenda for second half of the 106^th Congress will be a review of federal farm policy. House Ag Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) plans to hold hearings on farm programs, domestic and foreign markets and the effects of government regulation when Congress comes back in January for the second half of this session.

"The volatility of markets and the unpredictable nature of weather present us with constant challenges in writing good agricultural policy," Combest says. "We simply don't need to wait for years between each farm bill to discuss these issues, and we don't intend to. Instead, we need to stay on top of them constantly so we are ready to act when necessary. The past two years of crises drives that point home."

Congress technically doesn't have to address new farm policy until 2002 when the current farm law expires. But Combest wants to hear "from all those involved in agricultural policy" including farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and government.

"In the past few years, American farmers and ranchers have experienced historic changes in the way they do business," says Combest. "We have moved away from planting restrictions and government subsidies, and the increasing globalization of the agricultural market has created new challenges and opportunities for farmers and ranchers. It's only common sense that we look into the effects of these changes to see whether current policy is meeting these demands."